Kwimbira officiates Olympics bronze match
Malawi’s Fifa assistant female referee Bernadettar Kwimbira-Nzika was in the officiating team of Thursday’s bronze women’s football match between US and Australia at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
US, who lost 1-0 to Canada in the semi-finals, beat Australia 4-3 to win bronze.
The former elite athlete did not have a chance to compete at the Olympic Games, but her outstanding performance in refereeing has put Malawi on the map.
According to a statement from Olympic Games schedule, Kwimbira-Nzika was appointed as reserve assistant referee, the only one from Africa, alongside Fortunato Laura of Argentina as centre referee and her compatriot Mariana de Almeida as first assistant referee, Colombian Stephanie Frappart as second assistant referee.
Argentine Vigliano Mauro and Andres Cunha of Uruguay was video assistant referees (VAR), Guilemo Fernandez Cuadra of Spain as support VAR while Swedish Jenny Palmqvist is match assessor.
In an interview on Thursday , the Malawian said it was an honour for Africa to remain in the competition.
She said: “We came 14 as Team CAF and after the group stages seven remained. Of the seven, five are involved in the last matches.
“We have had a good run honestly on our part. Coming to a tournament and being assigned four matches it’s not a joke. There are good referees worldwide.”
Kwimbira-Nzika said this was a stepping stone to Australia/ New Zealand World Cup Project.
At the Olympics, she also handled the opening match between Great Britain and China which the British won 2-0, was on duty in the Netherlands’ 8-2 victory over China and the quarter-final match between Great Britain and Australia in which the Aussies won 4-3 on penalties after a one-all draw.
